Tributes have been paid to a “very respected” young footballer who has tragically died aged 37.
Craig Bennett, originally from Llanelli but who lived in Penygroes in Carmarthenshire , died on July 31 after battling cancer for two years.
The footballer, who had played for Pwll AFC and more recently Caerbryn AFC, originally spotted a lump and after initially raising concerns it was later brushed off as probably being “just a boil”.
His best friend, Brookman Bennett-O’Sullivan, played football and coached alongside Mr Bennett, who was known as Benny to his friends and teammates, at Caerbryn AFC.
His wife Maria said he battled hard and remained positive throughout but unfortunately he couldn’t beat it.
The 31-year-old from Swansea said that as a “final wish” just two weeks before he passed away, Mr Bennett married his partner of around eight years, Maria.
“He got married to Maria two weeks before he died and she supported and cared for him throughout it all. He adored her.
“He adored his small, black dog Dotty She never left his side.
“I met him through football and we started training together. We classed each other as brothers and used to FaceTime each other twice a day, every day.”
Mr Bennett, who was a Manchester United fan, worked in Cefn Coed Hospital in Swansea and even when he was battling his illness would turn up at his former team’s football pitch to help coach the other players.
His best friend added: “He was very respected and looked at like a role model by the younger players.
“He was at Caerbryn AFC for around four years and mainly played as a striker. He was a very good player.”
